The Language of Flowers

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While flowers are beautiful just as themselves, they actually have a long history of being used in messages sent where words were either forbidden or impossible.  Where lovers or friends wished to send secret messages to each other, they could send a single blossom or a full collection of blooms to convey feelings.  And not always nice ones!  

We tend to associate flowers with feelings of liking or affection, but did you know that once upon a time you could send someone a bouquet that said you had nothing but disdain for them, or that you suspected them of capriciousness?  Add in one other flower and you could accuse them of frigidity and heartlessness!  While one flower meant the love of a woman or mother, another meant the passion of a lover - not to be confused with each other!
Today we tend to select flowers based on their coloring or style or even just availability.  But the history of the flowers have created trends that stay even today.  White Calla Lilies have been a popular choice for wedding bouquets for years because they are so simple and classically elegant, but they also once symbolized magnificence, beauty, purity and innocence.  

And though chrysanthemums are more simple, a bouquet of red and white chrysanthemums says love, truth and loyalty and make them a fantastic choice for a Valentine's Day bouquet on a budget, even though the historical meaning of the blossoms is no longer well known.

Want to send an empowering arrangement to a friend?  Send a mixture of white and heather lavender.  The lavender shows admiration, solitude and beauty and the white stands for protection and indicates that wishes will come true.  Plus they are such a beautiful and simple flower, they make for a sweet touch to any room on any day.

Going to visit someone in their new home or looking for an extra add on to a wedding gift?  Bring them potted or cut Anthuriums.  They symbolize hospitality and are also used to indicate happiness and abundance, a nice wish for anyone starting a new life.  For an even extra special touch, ask your florist to add a little note with your wishes for them.

While thankfully now we can just enjoy the beauty and color and style of flowers, no matter what their message used to be, and we can create the perfect arrangement for the people we love!  But it is still fun to know the original meaning these blooms have!

<3

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Design by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!   

Top 10 Reasons Flowers & Cats Just Might Be The Greatest Thing On The Internet

Just for fun, this week's blog is pure fun! 

So here are the reasons:

10. Because who doesn't want a flower hug?

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9. If we could all be this happy, all the time

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8. I mean really!

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7. Just so much cuteness!!

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6. We all love to explore - but there is something about this kitten exploring among these flowers...

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5. Nothing stops fine felines from enjoying the aroma of a floral bouquet!

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4. Even our furry four-legged friends appreciate the gift of flowers!

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3. Even Grumpy Cat fits with a floral setting!

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2. Just yes

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1.  And then there is this.

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Have a wonderful weekend! 

<3

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Design by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!   

Noll Wedding

Photo Credit: jacqui cole

Hello! And welcome back to Perennial Petals - my little corner of the internet where I talk about all things flowers and try to give some insight into the world of being a florist.  This week, 'tis the season...of wedding planning!

As you could imagine, the holidays are one of the most popular times of year for wedding proposals - and with Valentine's Day right around the corner, now is one of the most concentrated wedding planning times of the year.  While elements like the venue and the dress and the rings are top of the list when it comes to planning, so are the flowers.  

My last blog was about my predicted floral trends for 2016, and looking back now I remember last October, when I had the honor of doing this wedding with a beautiful green-and-white theme, all white flowers with green accents and emerald green bride's maid dresses.  

Just recently I read this article, which talks about how only using one color is a "mistake to avoid" and they talk about how monochromatic flower color choices can lead to bland photos of your special day. 

I have to agree, but I think it should be said that there are times when sticking to a simple color palette (like 2 colors only), enables the flowers to be a high contrast accent, and allows for the texture of the flowers to be more of a statement than just the colors alone and makes for more bold pieces.  For a bridal bouquet, as you can see here, white on white with a simple single color accent can be classy and elegant and lend a timelessness to your bouquet.  

I can not stress enough to all couples planning their wedding, it is so very important to talk with your florist and make sure an understanding is reached of what you are looking for both in your photos and for practicality on your special day.  As they said in The Knot, you might have a beautiful ocean view for your reception, but if you block it with large, tall centerpieces, you are paying for a venue your guests will not be able to fully appreciate, and your pictures will lose the impact of the location.  A well-trained florist can help fill your wedding day with the most beautiful flowers no matter the style or theme or color palettes you choose.

One thing is for certain, white roses will never go out of style.

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!   

Here Comes 2016!

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Hello and welcome back to Perennial Petals!

In a few short days it will be 2016 - it's hard to believe!  This past year has held a lot of change for me, and personally, I am very exited to see what the future may hold!  

Just a few short weeks ago, my new shop opened, which means that to me, 2016 is all about the future.  I am very excited heading into this new year, and sometimes like to take a minute to think about all the possibilities of things to come!

Now I know the future is never certain, but it is always fun to try and predict which way things will go!  Each new year lends itself to floral trends, and after reflecting on 2015, I think 2016 will be year of fantastic color and designs!

Every bride and dinner host/hostess has their own style, and I think 2016 will have even more individuality expressed through floral choices.  While DIY has been on the rise, and with more and more YouTube channels and Pinterest boards to turn to, it is easier and easier to do it yourself, I think florists will be working with their clients on the designs.  I also think there will be more of a variation in colors and styles.  Where we sometimes have a run of shabby chic or beach-themes, I think the individual styles of each bride or otherwise will shine through even more than years past.

I am expecting to mix flowers and themes that might not have been the norm in the past, and to see both muted tones and bright colors, depending on each person's style.  I also expect that integrated elements will be more and more.  That is to say, floral arrangements incorporated with things like glass ornaments, photographs, glass bottles and even fabric flowers.

While each new year is always a surprise, I think this new year is going to be a beautiful one!  And I for one am looking forward to it!

I wish you a bright and wonderful New Year - may 2016 be the best year yet!

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!   

Centerpieces

Hello!  Welcome back to Perennial Petals!

While pinks and purples are my favorite when it comes to flower colors, there is something to be said for the Holiday Season and all that brings to the table - both by way of food, and floral centerpieces!  

It really is true that no table is fully set without a centerpiece - the word alone meaning the item that is the middle, the focus of your table.  But what are the makings of a good centerpiece? 

Well, it depends what you are looking for - do you want it to stand out or blend in?  Are you planning on having cross-table conversation, or will people not need to see each other (which is unlikely)?  Are you looking for a traditional feel or are you wanting it changed this year?

If you are looking for a piece to stand out, go with complimentary colors to the colors in your dining room or even just the colors of your table and table settings.  This will ensure your flowers really pop.  If you want your centerpiece to be more of an added texture to the table, a conceptual suggestion and less of a focal point, stick within the palate of the existing colors in your dining room.

Once you have your colors in mind, decide on a size and remember you can break them up depending on your table.  If you are having a longer rectangular table, think about having several smaller pieces down the middle of the table, with one slightly larger piece in the center, or even gradient increasing and decreasing sizes up and down the table.  This is also a great way to prevent "floral conversational inturruptus" (otherwise known as "I can't see the person across the table from me because of the flowers in my face")!  By staggering the flowers down the table, you can space them between the chairs and leave room for your guests to see each other across the table, no matter the size of the floral arrangements.  Another way to get around this is by having raised centerpiece, with the flowers higher than the guests heads.  This is only recommended for very large rooms, ideally with high ceilings.

Once you have an idea of color and size, pick a style.  This is where talking with your florist (or endlessly browsing Pinterest) is a great idea.  And for what it's worth, your florist will most likely be able to help you select a style more quickly and with less new brownie recipes and hairstyles to distract you before you have settled on your flowers.  More traditional themes are items like a cornucopia with sunflowers and pieces of wheat for Thanksgiving, or ribbon-adorned poinsettias for Christmas.  

While these are comfortable and traditional and perfectly nostalgic, sometimes you want to try something new - like roses mounted in fresh pears - which is one of my personal new favorite ideas for this year's Holiday Season! 

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!

Looking Ahead

Hello!

Welcome back to Perennial Petals! 

One of the most exciting times for me is right now - when all my training and experience comes together and I get to bring my dreams to life in a new town!

Starting last week, my flower shop, Flower Design by Bridget, signed a lease on a new storefront right in the middle of Clearwater, just outside of Clearwater Beach! Not only is it an amazing location, but it is perfectly located to be able to deliver from St Petersburg all the way up to Tarpon Springs!  And as has been my personal custom, it is a flower and gift shop, so you can take care of Birthdays, Holidays, and Special Occasions with one phone call or online order.  

Running a small business in a big world can be a challenge, to be sure!  And my journey is no exception!

I decided to focus this week's blog on it because there is something to be said about chasing after your dreams, and not waiting for "the perfect time."

While most of my posts (probably all other ones, to be honest) will be about DIY ideas, and how to best create the right centerpiece for your home dining tables and wedding ideas and gift ideas and how to pick the right flowers for any occasion - for this blog I wanted to focus on this - 

As 2015 comes to a close, as we focus on hope and happiness during the Holiday Season, and head into the New Year, I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck in all they do.  And I wanted to say to always go after your dreams!

No matter how many years of training it might take or how many obstacles may come in your way - go for it!

I look forward to sharing more news from my shop with you!  Along with lots of flower ideas and advice!  Feel free to email me at flowerdesignbybridget@gmail.com with any topics you would like to see covered in an upcoming blog!  

Here is to a fantastic Holiday Season, and the most wonderful New Year yet!!

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!  

Hello!  Welcome to Perennial Petals - a little blog about Flowers and Floral Design, by me, Bridget.

I love flowers. I grew up in East Germany, close to Berlin. The wall came down when I was twelve, and I knew there was no way I could ever work somewhere regimented and disciplined like an office. I needed to be somewhere I could work with expression, make people happy, and face creative challenges. 

After coming to that conclusion,and having an early love for flowers, I decided I had to try my hand at Floral Design, and see if it was as wonderful in the real world as it was in my imagination. I worked in a flower shop for one summer and that was it. I applied for school in East Germany (near my parents) as soon as I could, attending the full three years required for Certification in Floral Design.

The three years of school were pretty intense. In Europe, it is a full curriculum: I was put through a regimen of classes on proportions, colors, all the various types of flowers and their specific care, various design techniques, the nuances between bridal design and memorial design and centerpieces and holiday pieces - the three years were packed! I also studied the business side of running a flower shop: proper accounting and organization, so that I can focus on what really matters - the customers and their satisfaction with my designs. 

All of this culminated in an extensive three-part exam (practical, written and oral), in front of an official German panel, after which I was graded and received my final certification! 

It sounds like a lot, but I adored being around flowers. I loved being surrounded by their bright colors and smells. It fascinated me all what can be done with them, even just going into a field and collecting whatever you can find and putting something beautiful together 

It has now been 20 years since I started in the floral industry and I adore it as much as the day I started. With every arraignment I make, I remember the kindness of my first boss, and how she would always say "Every single arrangement that leaves the shop has to be special." I look forward to sharing my passion and love for what I am doing through my shop - that no matter what your budget or occasion is, I can create and express whatever it is you want to say with flowers on your special day.

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Bridget is the proud Owner of Flower Designs by Bridget, bringing European Certification and 20 years experience to Pinellas County, Florida, where she lives with her husband (Air Force, Ret.) and two children.  When she is not in her shop, you will find her enjoying a cup of Roiboos tea with her family and several cats and dogs (including one named Daisy).  While the holiday greens and decorations of December are her favorite, she looks forward to bringing you sunshine and smiles through flowers all year round!